proper n. an old term for South Slavs, especially Croats, used in 17th-19th centuries

proper n. a proposed term for Proto-Albanians

proper n. a member of the Illyrian movement

from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

Pertaining to Illyria or Illyricum, an ancient region east of the Adriatic, comprising in its widest extent modern Albania, Bosnia, Servia, Croatia, Dalmatia, etc., conquered by the Romans and made a province, and later a prefecture.

Pertaining to modern Illyria, a titular kingdom of Austria-Hungary, comprising at present Carinthia, Carniola, and the Maritime Territory.

Pertaining to the modern Serbo-Croatian race or language.

n. A native of ancient Illyricum. The Illyrians were perhaps allied to the Thracians, and are now represented by the Albanians.

n. An inhabitant of the modern titular kingdom of Illyria.

n. A member of the Serbo-Croatian race, now living in the territory of ancient Illyricum.

n. The language of Illyria, or the group of ancient dialects represented by the modern Albanian; also applied to the modern Slavic dialects of the same or adjacent districts.

n. a minor and almost extinct branch of the Indo-European languages; spoken along the Dalmatian coast

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Examples

Croatia and all the southern Slavs in the coast district, and a not very successful movement had been started to establish a so-called Illyrian language, which should be accepted by both Croats and Slovenes.

Alexander and his men moved into the Illyrian camp and killed the first of the enemy as they slept, then attacked the panic-stricken barbarians with such swiftness that they threw aside their weapons and ran from the city, the survivors escaping into the mountains.